Prospect Park's Dog Beach Will Be Closed for Renovations All Year

Pictured: A rendering of the future Dog Beach. Image via the Prospect Park Alliance

PROSPECT PARK, BROOKLYN — Prospect Park officials have closed Dog Beach, a popular canine play spot at the center of the park, until next at least spring for renovations, the Prospect Park Alliance announced Monday.

During its year of rehab, Dog Beach's pavement will be replaced with new stone slabs from upstate New York, according to the Alliance, and will be "reminiscent of stream beds found in the Adirondacks or Catskills."

New cable and mesh fencing, all safe for animals, will replace the beach's current chain link fencing, officials said.

Renovation crews also plan to remove invasive plants along the shoreline and install boulders and native plants in their stead. That work will require the Upper Pool to be drained — but, not to worry, the pool's fish and turtles will be removed first, the Alliance promised.

The work at Dog Beach is part of a $2.6 million renovation project targeting both the beach and Long Meadow Ball Fields 6 and 7.

The fields are scheduled to open one year after the beach, in Spring 2018.

The money for the projects is being pulled from city coffers controlled by Brooklyn politicians, including Borough President Eric Adams; Councilman Brad Lander, whose district includes Park Slope; and Councilman Stephen Levin, whose district includes Williamsburg, Boerum Hill and DUMBO.